El Cajon Embroidery Services

Most custom printing shops only do screen printing and the different forms of it. But here at Extra Graphic, screen printing is not the only thing we offer! We also offer embroidery services for our El Cajon customers to add smaller, more elegant touches to your custom shirt and apparel projects. We can embroider any design from monograms and animals to company logos and pictures. Let’s jump right in and explain what exactly embroidery is, how it’s been done in the past, and how it’s done today. If you still have any questions, you can feel free to contact us at any time or stop by our Iowa Street studio and we will be more than happy to help.

What Is Embroidery?

Embroidery is the art of working raised and ornamental designs of thread onto a woven fabric with a needle. This thread can be made of cotton, rayon, wool, silk, or other materials, and can come in a large multitude of colors. Embroidering can be done by hand with a single needle as a craft project, or it can be done with an automated machine that uses computers to create the intricate design on multiple items. Regardless of the way it is done, embroidery is an art form that can be enjoyed and appreciated for a long time.

What Kind Of Materials Can Be Embroidered?

Lots of different items like wedding dresses, pillowcases, table runners, and blankets can be used for custom embroidery projects. Natural fabrics with a tight weave create a strong base for embroidery and are the easiest to embroider because the fibers of the fabric run both horizontally and vertically. This makes it easier for a needle to penetrate the material. Fabrics such as cotton, silk, linen, and wool support decorative stitching very well. Embroidery for clothing is usually used to make small designs on pants, business shirts, and polo shirts. The fabrics of these items are heavy enough to withstand the weight and tension of the thread being used for the design. Caps and outerwear like jackets also work great for embroidering. T-shirts and hoodies are made of a lighter material, and an embroidery design will tend to pucker more under the tension of the thread.

How Was Embroidery Originally Done?

Before the industrial revolution, embroidery was all done by hand. A single needle and thread were used to create intricate designs on pieces of cloth ranging from table runners to clothing. Depending on the time, location, and materials available, embroidery could be the domain of a few experts or a widespread popular technique. In medieval England, embroidering on articles of clothing, religious objects, and household items could be seen to indicate a higher social status. In other countries such as Ireland, Norway, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Japan, embroidery was a folk art, using materials accessible to nonprofessionals. Embroidery was not only a pastime or hobby for women, but the craft had also been used as a form of biography. Women who were unable to access formal education or writing implements were taught embroidery as a means to document their lives. Some works of embroidery documented the histories of marginal groups, especially those of women of color not only in the United States but around the world, whose lives would have never before been studied in history.

Is Embroidery Still Done By Hand?

In the case of mass production, the answer here is no. Nevertheless, some embroidery styles like cross-stitch are still done by hand as craft projects mostly for women. During the Industrial Revolution, machines were invented to aid in the art of embroidery. Later, a machine that borrowed concepts of the sewing machine and a device called the Jacquard Loom fully automated the art. Nowadays, automated embroidery machines are fully computerized. Designs are created through special programming on a computer and sent to the machine where either one color at a time or several colors at once are sewn into a piece of fabric to create the design. Most commercial embroidery machines have up to 12 heads, with up to 15 needles per head. This means that 12 items can be embroidered at the same time, and up to 15 different colors can be used for the same project.

How Is Embroidery Different From Screen Printing?

Screen printing uses mesh screens, squeegees, and ink to print a design onto an item. This process is completely different and more expensive than embroidery, with the exception of large designs. Screen printing works well with larger designs and larger orders because the same screen is used for multiple items, whereas with embroidery, smaller designs like company logos and smaller orders work best. Embroidery is more meant for heavier shirts such as business shirts and polos, and screen printing works well for much lighter t-shirts and hoodies because the ink is lighter than thread and will give the design a “softer feel”.

Why Choose Extra Graphic For Your El Cajon Custom Embroidery Needs?

• We’ve been custom screen printing and embroidering for over 15 years now and we know the ins and outs of making your design look its best with any style of printing we offer.
• We offer a large selection of apparel styles for printing.
• We strive to give you the best-printed apparel possible.
• We’re affordably priced.
• You can order anytime, we’ll keep pace with your schedule.
• Fast Turnaround! Most orders are ready in 7-10 business days.

There are many styles and options available for your customized t-shirt and apparel project. We at Extra Graphic are always happy to offer advice on what method of printing will best fit your project and your budget. You are also more than welcome to stop by our studio on Iowa Street to ask any questions you may have for your printing and embroidery needs! Being the local leader of high-quality apparel printing in San Diego, we guarantee the quality of your embroidered projects. When other printers disappoint, Extra Graphic delivers!

Call us for more info at  (619)-354-XTRA today!